Under an Indo US collaborative research effort, Stempeutics, the Manipal Group's stem cell research and development centre, has made significant advances in tissue engineering for treatment of diabetic foot to prevent amputation in ulcer and gangrene conditions.

The research under an Indo US grant involves Universities of Washington and Georgia Tech. For the two year programme, Stempeutics has been provided assistance to the tune of Rs 2.5 crore.

The company has already developed three dimensional structures or patches which will be directly injected into the site of injury to prevent loss of stem cells. Clinical trials are scheduled within the next three months.

"This is a major advancement as tissue engineering will revolutionize treatment options for patients and doctors. We have already made considerable progress in tissue engineering to repair damaged organs. The method adopts use of scaffold cells signalling molecules and culture conditions that are required to produce functional tissue engineered organs. In fact, Mesenchymal stem cells are particularly useful for cartilage tissue engineering, stated Dr Satish Totey, chief scientific officer, Stempeutics Research Private Limited.

"The patch will bear semblance to the 'Band Aid' plaster. It allows faster regeneration of cells. Right now we are on conducting histology, characterization and electro microscope studies," he said.

The stem cells provide an unlimited donor source for transplantation and tissue regeneration in vitro. Such stem cells have demonstrated its ability to restore functions in various diseases including spinal chord injury, myocardial infraction, leg ischemia, diabetes mellitus, Parkinson's in animal and human models. "In addition, to such clinical significance, the current progress of stem cell research is shaking some of our views in mammalian cell and developmental biology. The research has shown that cell linage may not be so definitive anymore and cell differentiation will be no longer unidirectional. Therefore regenerative medicine conceptualizes the ability to harness the power of the cells to regenerate or replace damaged tissues," stated Dr. Totey.